Meet the Chef ~ Melissa

My hubby Chris and I, back when Lane was a little puppy

Hello everyone!  I'm Melissa, and I've been a military wife for almost 5 years.  In my little Army family, there is myself, my hubby and love of my life Chris, my 2 year old baby boy Chocolate Lab Lane, and my 5 year old fatty catty Isis (who usually just goes by "Kitty").  Just because I haven't been married to the Army that long, doesn't mean I haven't been around the military longer!  I grew up a Navy brat, so I am used to the lifestyle.  I actually love it.  I love seeing new places, doing new things, and meeting lots of awesome new people (like Steve and Daphne)!  The military lifestyle is certainly different.  There's that automatic bond you have with someone you've never met before, but feel like you've known them for years.  And it seems to me it takes a certain type of person to be the military spouse as well.  We all tend to have the same sense of humor, and of course love taking care of our soldier!!  It's very unique, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Me shooting blanks at Ft Riley during one of their Apple Days

So a little bit of history about me for you....like I said before, I was a Navy brat, so I moved around A LOT growing up.  I think it made me the outgoing, friendly person I am today.  My Dad got out of the Navy sometime when I was in grade school, but we continued moving every couple of years until he found a good job in Virginia that he liked, and paid well.  So I consider Virginia my "home state."  That's where I went to middle and high school, and where I went to college as well.

Let's Go Hokies!!

Speaking of college, I went to only the greatest one around....Virginia Tech!!  I LOVE MY HOKIES!!  It's a beautiful campus, amazing people, and wonderful memories.  It's where I met my hubby!!  Just ask anyone we know.  We are FANATICS about this place, and we turn into crazy people come football season!  We literally bleed orange and maroon (notice the color scheme on my recipes?!?).  At Tech, we were both in the Corps of Cadets, he was Army ROTC and I was considered Cadet Only.  I joined for the band...I'm a self proclaimed band nerd, and proud of it!  He was in the band as well, but wasn't a band nerd in the least.  So being members in the cadet band, we got to attend every home football game every year.  We're addicted.  Lane Stadium has THE BEST college football entrance ever.  There's just something about 66,000+ fans jumping up and down to "Enter Sandman" and screaming their heads off....makes me smile just thinking about it. :-) 

As for my love of cooking, it kind of just evolved.  My Mom made a lot of fabulous dishes when I was growing up, and I use several of them to this day, especially Thanksgiving recipes.  I don't really remember if she experimented a lot or not....the high school years are kind of a blur now.  I think with all of our busy hectic schedules between myself and brother and sister, she just made whatever was quick and easy at the time.  And then of course in college I was always eating at the dining halls....freshman fifteen didn't hit until junior/senior year unfortunately.  It's when I finished college and I was trying to lose weight that I got more into cooking, especially trying to find yummy and delicious healthy recipes to help with my weight loss goals.  I like to experiment with a lot of stuff, mostly because we like to change things up for dinner.  I like the variety too, so it's fun coming up with stuff together with my hubby.  And now that he's training for a marathon, and I just started a beginner's running program, we definitely try to find new healthy dishes to keep us satisfied and satiated.  And of course being in the Army, there will forever be group gatherings that involve food.  I love bringing fabulous dishes that I know people will ask "You made this??  Can I please have the recipe?!?" Food brings people together, no matter the occasion.  It can comfort you, energize you, calm you, be therapeutic while cooking, and obviously fuel your body.  It is essential for life, so why not have fun with it and enjoy it?!  I hope you find our page fun and interactive, and you find the motivation, encouragement, and inspiration to expand your kitchen repertoire along the way!! 

Meet the Chefs - Daphne

Hello friends! We are so excited to get this page finally launched! It is our goal to reach every level of cook...from the “working mom I love boxed macaroni and cheese” to the experienced and and maybe even professional chefs!

My name is Daphne and I have been an Army wife for 7 years. My husband Billy and I have two beautiful children, Raeanne Marie (12) and Jace William (2). My love of cooking came from my grandparents on both sides. Although I never cooked along side him, the stories I hear make it certain a big part of my love for cooking was passed down from Papa. I also made many frantic phone calls to my grandma asking how to cook this, or bake that. She had a present impact on my cooking while my Papa gave me inspiration and drive to be the best. I can’t say I have a special dish, but I have figured out that my point of view is creativity. Meaning, let’s take what you ALREADY have in your kitchen, and create something new for your family to enjoy. Having a 2 year old in the house makes it impossible to run to the grocery every time I’m missing an ingredient. I simply have to use what is already here.

  Growing up, my dad required me to cook 3 nights a week. Although I hated it then, today I am grateful for the experience and exposure to opportunity. I’m certain there were creations no one wanted to eat, but the beauty of cooking is the ability to dump it all and start over!! No permanent scars here! It took me a little while to realize that I was good at what I was doing. I had a the wonderful privilege of catering many meals for my church while living in Orlando. I also served as cafe director for a residential teen ministry in Orlando. 

The kids all loved the cuisine, but hated the extra pounds I literally added to their lives! I count it a blessing to be able to SERVE. Many times, it has little to do with the food and more to do with a gift we’ve been given and the desire to share it with loved one’s or those in need. Although I have never had any official training, I am very confident in my ability to bring something yummy to the table. My personal goal for this blog/page is that you would be more confident in the kitchen, understand the blessing of service and and tap into that creativity I KNOW is in there!

Thank you for joining us on this fantastic and exciting journey! ...daphne